I was finally able to take all the wonderful advice I received about sprucing up my blog and turn it into reality. I’ll still be checking back with this old blog site, to make sure you are moving with us….but I would love, love, love it if you would make the switch with me.

I’m in Linens N Things….scouting out a little home decor (we’ve only been in our house for 18 months…figure it is time for me to get on the ball).

I’m singing along to the music overhead as I approach the end of an aisle. What do I see at the end of the aisle? A fabulous woman in her 50’s shaking her booty…singing and dancing to the music. She’s playing it up for a few friends and turns three shades of red when she realizes I’ve caught her. We share a quick laugh. When she is in line behind me a few minutes later, she jokes that she is following me b/c she heard I was going to pay for her items. I honestly wish I could have…and I told her so. I said, “wouldn’t that be fun? To just take care of someone’s bill for them?”

She responded…”yes, it is fun…I’ve done it. A few weeks ago, my family and I were at a local restaurant and noticed a serviceman in uniform and his family eating at a nearby table. I know how little they make, I’ve had three kids in the military…and if it wasn’t for them, we couldn’t be free. So, we told our waiter we wanted to take care of their bill. We stopped by their table to tell them how beautiful and well behaved their children were….and then we hid close by to hear their reaction when the waiter told them their meal was free. It was the best feeling.”

I was actually JEALOUS as she was telling the story. I got goosebumps. I can’t wait to do it.

Happy, Generous, Giving, ExtraordinaryMommy in Linens N Things…..I think you are the BEST! Thank you for making my day!

But that is just fine with me since it is indicative of the fight I have waged (and am winning!!!!! Eczema sufferers read on!) against my son’s eczema since seeing his sweet, pale skin turn wretched shades of red….

Can you see what happened to his baby white skin? Do you see the angry red strip across the back of his neck? It looks like I put a piece of duct tape on him and then ripped it off…. After the doctor told us on Thursday it was eczema, I have to admit I was bewildered. But I was blessed to get advice from so many people. We started using the steroid cream as recommended by our pediatrician…but Coop would scream in pain as I tried to apply it (note: when I called to inquire about this….I was told it may burn some since the skin is open…hence the screams of agony)

But then….On Friday, I received an email from a friend, Chaney (if you think I loved her before….just you wait!!) She sweetly reminded me that she is a nurse and does have some first hand experience with this condition. Boy, does she ever! Her daughter was 6 months old when the eczema first appeared…and it was more than 4 months ( plus a pediatrician and 3 dermatologists) until her daughter’s condition was under control. But since then (over a year) little Paige has been great.

THIS ADVICE WORKED FOR COOP IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS…just look:

Forgive the slightly blurry picture, but Coop is excited…he keeps yelling, “my boo-boos are gone!” And he is right. Just look at his beautiful skin (the red on the right side of his tummy is his birthmark).

Now…here’s what I did….this advice came from a pediatric dermatologist. It was given to Chaney for her daughter, but I was desperate to help Coop (and avoid using the painful steroid cream if at all possible) The dermatologist prefers a ‘holistic’ approach.

1) Give your eczmea suffering child a bath 3-4 times a day for about 5 minutes at a time. Fill the tub with water and add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of white vinegar or household bleach (admittedly the bleach freaked me out, but apparently the Dr. said when it is diluted with that much water – the whole tub- it is like swimming in a pool) Still…I chose the vinegar. Use Cetaphil soap to wash them. Don’t use anything with fragrance.

2) As soon as you get them out…quickly pat them dry and slather them with Vaseline petroleum jelly. Yep, cover their little bodies….layer it on, lube them up…it will trap the moisture in. Then get them dressed.

I gave Coop 4 baths yesterday. By the time his final one rolled around before bed, the eczema was all but GONE.

I also switched to ALL Free and Clear laundry detergent and Bounce Free and Clear Dryer Sheets. I washed Coop’s sheets and ours and am working on everything else.

I didn’t even get to all the additional suggestions, but here they are:

3) Purchase old-school mineral oil. Use small cotton squares to apply mineral oil to the affected areas throughout the day

4) If the face or genitals are affected, use zinc oxide (not a product with zinc, but actual 100% Zinc oxide)

5) Use the steroid cream once a day if necessary. Apply only to raised, red areas. Don’t use for more than two weeks at a time. Take a maximum of a 2 week holiday from the cream and start again if needed.

Good Heavens…I think that is it.

I’m clearly not a doctor…but I’m just sayin’…I love me some Chaney! Not only has this remarkable girl helped to deliver both my babies…she has now saved me the agony of MONTHS of trial and error.

“Any man can be a father…it takes someone special to be a DAD.” ~Anonymous

We definitely have someone special in our midst……

My husband would rather spend time with his children than do just about anything. Mini and Coop have late bedtimes just so daddy can spend more time with them. He volunteers to do bathtime (alone!!), he is almost as fast as I am into a crying baby’s room at night, he never hesitates to ‘hold me, Daddy”, he tears up when watching his kiddos play together and he keeps a running list of all the things he wants to do with them and teach them.

I fell in love with him years ago….but it is not only his sense of humor, his love and his good looks that get me…it is definitely the ‘daddy’ in him that reminds me everyday that I couldn’t have married a better man.